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PAHRA Annual Conference November 9 - 12, 2003 |
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Conference Co-Sponsored by HARIE & Honeywell International Inc. |
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Conference Agenda |
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Sunday, November 9, 2003 |
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4:00 - 6:00 P.M. |
PAHRA Committee Meetings |
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Affiliate Member Services Budget & Administration Civil Service Legislative Committee Members Services Scholarship Committee Training Committee |
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4:00 - 6:00 P.M. |
Early Registration . |
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6:00 - 8:00 P.M. |
PAHRA Board / Dinner Meeting |
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9:00 - 12:00 P.M. |
Hospitality Room - Sponsored by Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania |
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Monday, November 10, 2003 |
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7:30 - 8:30 A.M. |
Buffet Breakfast - included with hotel room |
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8:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. |
Registration |
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8:30 - 9:00 A.M. |
Joint Session - Opening Session |
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9:00 - 10:15A.M. |
Joint Session - PAHRA Annual Business Meeting / PAHRA Election Results - President Joe Kohut Presiding |
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10:15 - 10:30 A. M. |
Refreshment Break -Sponsored by Tenmast Software |
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Housing |
Redevelopment / CD |
Focus Track |
Joint Housing /Redevelopment/ CD |
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10:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. |
1 THE DO's AND DON'TS OF CIVIL SERVICE COVERED POSITIONS -State Civil Service Commission staff members have planned a workshop- type session on a number of civil service scenarios that impact all housing authorities at various times. The topics to be covered include: how to make legal civil service appointments; use of emergency appointees; how to properly handle disciplinary actions; the importance of accurate job descriptions; and the impact of employee performance ratings. Moderator: Kelly Hicks, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Indiana County; Speakers: Steve Shartle, Chief, Division of Technical Assistance and Audit; Blaine Fry, Human Resource Analyst, County Housing Authority Representative; Lynn Hereda, Human Resource Analyst, City Housing Authority Representative. Tom Balestriere, Western Regional Manager; |
2 GOVERNOR'S STIMULUS PACKAGE -Over the past year, the Rendell administration has been promoting an economic development stimulus package that will assist Pennsylvania communities with funding to create new jobs. It is now anticipated that this package will pass when the Pennsylvania Legislature comes back into session in September. DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonsky, will present the Stimulus Package, how it will help Pennsylvania's economcy and how these new programs will work. He will be joined in the presentation Larry Segal and Lisa Yaffee of the Governor's new cabinet level Office of Housing and Economic Revitalization. Moderator: Penny Eddy, Executive Director, McKean County Redevelopment and Houisng Authorities, Speaker, The Honorable Dennis Yablonsky, Secretary, PA DCED, The Honorable Larry Segal, Executive Director, Governor's Office of Housing and Community Revitalization; Lisa Yaffee, Deputy Executive Director, Governor's Office of Housing and Community Development. |
3 Dealing With Diversity As our client and as co-worker populations change, we find ourselves unfamiliar and even puzzled by habits and customs that are accepted within other cultures. Major Ben Brooks (retired), will present a lively yet educational session on how to deal appropriately and in an inoffensive manner with unfamiliar populations. Moderator: Roger Sillner, Executive Director, Lackawanna Housing; Speaker: Benjamin F. Brooks, Major Ben's Consulting Services |
4 PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTING FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS -This three-part session will review the proper federal procurement procedures and contracting requirements for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Home and Emergency Shelter Grant recipients. PA DCED staff members will present make the presentation and answer questions. Moderator: Jerry Mullarkey, Executive Director, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittston; Speakers: Gary Thomas, Compliance Manager, PA Department of Community and Economic Development |
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12:00 - 1:15 P.M. |
Lunch On Your Own |
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1:15 - 2:45 P.M. |
5 HARVARD COST STUDY - THE EFFECT IT WILL HAVE ON YOUR AUTHORITY & OPERATIONS
-After three years of work, the final report on the Public Housing Operating Cost
Study was released by Harvard in June, 2003. The report has been endorsed
by HUD and they are working on the implementation of recommendations contained
in the final report. When implemented, the funding and management of PHA's
could change significantly. This session looks at the recommendations in
the final report and the impact on housing authority operations. Joan Howell
is the director of the PHMI which is closely tracking the effect of the
Harvard Cost Study, and Dan Farrell's agency, Altoona Housing Authority.
was one of the public agencies the Operating Cost Study visited in the course
of their work. Dan is also an advisor to the Public Housing Technical Resource
Center. Moderator & Speaker: Daniel Farrel, Executive Director, Altoona Housing Authority; Speaker: Joan C. Howell, Director, Public Housing Management Institute |
6 GOVERNOR'S STIMULUS PACKAGE (continued) |
7 GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE - GOING THE EXTRA MILE -This is a two part session with this first session geared to front-line staff,
addressing issues such as understanding your customer, handling difficult
situations, diffusing difficult situations, maintaining control when dealing
with controversies, etc. Johanna Hackett, President, JNM Associates, Inc.,
will present methods and alternatives that you can use. Moderator: Rose Smith, Executive Director, Dubois Housing Authority; Speaker: Johanna Hackett, President, JNM Associates |
8 PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTING FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS (continued) |
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2:45 - 3:00 P.M. |
Refreshment Break Sponsored by Horizon Information Systems |
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3:00 - 4:30 P.M. |
9. CAPITAL PLAN PROJECT FINANCING -This session will outline how PHA's can borrow future capital fund monies. Why
should and would PHA's do so and what should it cost? Moderator: Carl Payne, Executive Director, Harrisburg Housing Authority; Speakers: Sheldon Schreiberg, Esq. Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP; Brian Hudson, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) |
10 GOVERNOR'S STIMULUS PACKAGE (continued) |
11 GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE - GOING THE EXTRA MILE (continued) - This is the second of a two part session. This session is geared
to executive directors and top level administrators -monitoring staff performance,
avoiding burnout, providing ongoing support and training, maintain a chain
of command, diffusing problems at the outset, recognizing good job performance,
instituting and enforcing fair employee policies, etc. |
12 PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTING FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS (continued) |
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Dinner on Your Own |
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9::00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M. |
Hospitality Room - Sponsored by Pepper Hamilton LLP |
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Tuesday. November 11, 2003 |
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8:00 - 9:30 A.M. |
Breakfast Buffet -Included with hotel room |
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8:00 - 9:30 A.M. |
PAHRA Members Showcase Awards |
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8:00 AM - 11:00 A.M. |
Registration |
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Housing |
Redevelopment / CD |
Focus Track |
Joint Housing / Redevelopment / CD |
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9:30 - 11:00 A.M. |
13 A ONE DAY ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ON GASB 34 -What are the new HUD and GAO accounting requirements? What is and who should
prepare the management discussion and analysis (MD&A) that must be prepared
and submitted with your audit to HUD and REAC? Jack Blosky, HF Financial Services, will discuss accounting entries and schedules that must
be prepared for GASB 34 in the morning sessions. The afternoon sessions
will deal with management discussion and analysis (MD&A) that all executive
directors are required to prepare and submit with the audit and to REAC.
Moderator: Karen McBride, Executive Director, Susquehanna Housing & Redevelopment Authorities; Speaker:
Jack Blosky CPA, HF Financial Services |
14 EMINENT DOMAIN: THEORY & PRACTICE -Joel Aronson, Esq., and David Nixon, Esq., will examine the mechanics of eminent
domain as detailed in state law with some practical tips for avoiding litigation
and accomplishing eminent domain in a designated redevelopment area and
/or spot acquisition basis. Moderator: Christopher Houston, Solicitor, Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority; Speaker: Joel Aronson, Esq., Partner, Reed Smith; David Nixon, Esq., Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh |
15 WORKING WITH HUD OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO PREVENT AND DETECT FRAUD IN
HUD FUNDED PROGRAMS -This session will focus on a cooperative effort on ways to prevent fraud from
occurring and various ways of detecting fraud if it does occur. Moderator:
Beverly Sipes, Deputy Executive Director, Johnstown Housing Authority, Speaker: Robert Brickley, Special Agent in Charge, HUD , Office of Inspector General / Office of Investigation,
Mid Atlantic Region |
16 EXIT STRATEGIES TAX CREDIT PROPERTIES -Many Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties and other types of affordable/assisted
housing have expiring affordability contracts. Owners and potential buyers
of properties need to understand IRS rules as well as a specific property's
partnership agreement terms and restrictions. Sheldon Schreiberg, Esq.,
and James Gutowski, with their long involvement in tax credit developments
will guide you through the rules and requirements of the agreements. Moderator:
Perry O'Malley, Executive Director, Butler County Housing Authority; Speakers: Sheldon Shreiberg, Esq., Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP; Tom Gorensek, Vice President, National City Bank, Cleveland Ohio Office |
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11:00 A.M. - 11:15 P.M. |
Refreshment Break -Sponsor by MacIntire Insurance |
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11:15 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. |
17 ONE DAY ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ON GASB 34 (continued) |
18 EMINENT DOMAIN: THEORY & PRACTICE (continued) |
19 PROPER PROCEDURES FOR PROCURMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SERVICES -Staff members from Pittsburgh HUD Office will outline the proper procedures for
preparation of an A & E Cost Estimate, procedures for proper price negotiation
with the A & E Firm, procedures to review a cost analysis and proper procedures
to review a cost proposal. They will also give details on developing an
effective evaluation form and rating system to review the proposals submitted
by A & E Firms. Moderator: Paul Pecharko, Executive Director, Clearfield County Housing Authority; Speakers: James D. Cassidy, Director, Office of Public Housing, Pittsburgh HUD Office; Richard Humphrey, General Engineer, Pittsburgh HUD Field Office; Quinn Donovan, General Engineer, Pittsburgh HUD Field Office; Paul Michalka, General Engineer, Pittsburgh HUD Field Office |
20 DISASTER PLANNING -Don't wait until disaster happens before getting prepared. Disasters occur when
we least expect them. Housing Authorities have the responsibility for providing
housing to various groups of people. Regardless of their age, housing authorities
need to help make sure that their residents are prepared for any type of
natural or man-made disaster. When disaster strikes, will your employees
know what to do? Who to call? How to evacuate? Or understand what assistance
the fire and amulance personnel will need? What alternate temporary housing
resouces are available? Every one needs to share responsibility. But no
one can help without the proper training. From a fire to a power outage
to a tornado, to a flood - everyone needs to know what to do. Moderator:
Michael Washowich, Executive Director, Westmoreland County Housing Authority; Speakers: Bill Reese, President/Founder, RWJ Disaster Planning Consultants |
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12:30 - 1:30 P.M. |
Lunch on your own |
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1:30 - 3:00 P.M. |
21 ONE DAY ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ON GASB 34 (continued) |
22 RELOCATION - CDBG & HOME PROGRAMS Projects implemented with CDBG and HOME funds can trigger relocation of residents
and business. HUD representatives will outline when relocation is required
and what benefits must be paid. This session will help you to identify potential
relocation situations and assist you to budget for the relocation activities.
Moderator: Ray Polaski, Executive Director, Redevelopment Authority of Fayette County, Speaker: John Tobert, Pittsburgh HUD Field Office |
23. WHAT'S UP WITH THE SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM? Denise Muha (NLHA) and Ted Van Dyke (PHADA) will present the latest on the housing
industry's legal challenge to HUD on program administration fees as well
as information on the Bush administration's plans for the voucher program.
Moderator: Judy Stonfer, Director of Occupancy, Housing Authority of the County of Beaver; Speakers:
Denise Muha, Executive Director, National Lease Housing Association, Ted Van Dyke, Director of Governmental Affairs, Public Housing Authority Directors Association
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24. e-PROCUREMENT - ACCESSING NAHRO'S PURCHASING SYSTEM -Learn more about the NAHRO e-Procurement System for housing and community development
member agencies throughout the county. This new system of electronic procurement,
which is free to member agencies, increases efficiencies and will be the
industry's standard for conducting business. The session will include information
on how to use the system, including RFQs, RFPs and searching for vendors/suppliers.
Other topics covered include: Systems Benefits for agencies and suppliers,
system funding, agency "get ready" checklist, questions and answers. Moderator:
LeRoy Robinson, Jr., Executive Assistant to the Director, Harrisburg Housing Authority , Speaker:
Michael Hancock, Regional Account Manager, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Agencies (NAHRO) |
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3:00 - 3:15 P.M. |
Refreshment Break -Sponsored by National City Bank |
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3:15 - 4:30 P.M.. |
25 ONE DAY ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ON GASB 34 (continued) |
26 HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FOR IMPLEMENTING THE LEAD SAFE HOUSING RULE IN PUBLIC AND
ASSISTED HOUSING - Knowing the Lead Regs is not enough! Housing professionals, who are responsible
for applying the lead safe housing rule in Public and Section 8 assisted
housing must also be able to incorporate lead control policies and protocols
into their standard operating procedures. This session will present a training
workshop designed to assist housing professionals, who are responsible for
applying the lead safe housing rule in public and Section 8 assisted housing,
to fully incorporate the governing federal rule into their admissions and
occupancy policies, annual work plans, property maintenance procedures and
five year modernization plans. Sample handbooks, property maintenance procedures,
disclosure language and tenant education information are some of the tools
to be provided.
Moderator: Joan Popovich, Executive Director, Redevelopment Authority of
Somerset County; Speaker: Michael Doaks, Senior Analyst, Dennison Associates,
Inc. |
27 HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY & ACCOUNTING ACT OF 1996 (HIPAA) - The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA), as amended, took
effect April 14, 2003 and has a profound impact on employer-sponsored health
plans and the employer's access to employee medical information. This presentation
will discuss the requirements of HIPAA and how it interacts with other statutes
and employee programs such as the Family Medical Leave Act, Worker's compensation
and employee Assistance programs. This program is a must attend for public
sector employers. Moderator: Kathy Doherty Esq. , Allegheny County Housing
Authority; Speaker: Richard D. Miller, Esq., Campbell, Durant & Beatty
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28 PENNVEST BROWNFIELDS ROUNDTABLE - PENNVEST is dveloping a funding program to support brownsfields rehabilitation.
PENNVEST staff is soliciting input as to how to best structure a low interest
loan program for site redevelopment. Eligible costs could include site remediation
as well as water, sewer and storm water improvement. Redevelopment authorities
and CD agencies are key players and PENNVEST is soliciting your thughts,
concerns, and recommendations.
Moderator: Penny Eddy, McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority;
Speaker: Brion Johnson, Deputy Executive Director for Project Management,
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority and other PENNVEST staff
members. |
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6:00 - 7:00 P.M. |
Presidential Reception -Sponsored by HARIE |
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7:00 - 9:00 P.M. |
Annual Awards Banquet / Bellamy Awards |
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9:00 - 12:00 P.M. |
Hospitality Room -Sponsored by HARIE |
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Wednesday, November 12, 2003 |
8:30
- 10:00 A.M. |
29. Breakfast Buffet -
Co-Sponsored by LISC
/ Sky Bank |
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9:00
- 10:00 A.M.. |
Speaker: The Honorable Ed
Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (invited) |
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10:00
A.M. |
PAHRA Annual Conference Concludes |